‘The Voice’ Huston steps down as announcer of Jug races
By John Sacco
For the Observer-Reporter
newsroom@observer-reporter.com
“The Voice,” Roger Huston decided to end his run as the announcer of The Jugette and the Little Brown Jug this week at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Ohio after a lengthy run.
Huston, who retired as track announcer at The Meadows in October 2019, has continued as one of the most recognizable and revered harness racing announcers in the world.
He is an Ohio native.
Fans who watched the 55th edition of the Jugette Wednesday witnessed a changing of the guard as Huston passed the torch. Jason Settlemoir, who had served as Huston’s assistant announcer since 2012, called the race.
He also turned over the call of the Little Brown Jug to Settlemoir on Thursday.
“I just want to make it clear. I am not retiring,” said Huston, who celebrated his 83rd birthday Tuesday. “I just felt it was the right thing to do, to give another young man the opportunity to live out their dream.”
The last handful of years, Huston has filled in for The Meadows’ announcer Jeff Zidek. He also calls races on The Adios race card.
Huston, who had called all 54 previous Jugettes and 57 straight Little Brown Jugs, notified Jug officials that he wanted to step back and call fewer races during Jug week.
“We cannot thank Roger enough for everything he does for Delaware,” said Tom Wright, president of the Little Brown Jug Society. “I was saddened when Roger approached me with this request. For anybody who knows Roger would understand his desire to do it his way.”
Huston was hired in August 1967 by Henry “Hank” Thomson to serve as the announcer during the Grand Circuit stop at Delaware.